In the wake of President-elect Donald Trump’s return to power and his hardline immigration agenda, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson made it clear on Tuesday that his city will remain a sanctuary for all immigrants—citizens, permanent residents, and asylum seekers alike. In his first remarks following the presidential election outcome, Johnson vowed to protect Chicagoans from federal deportation efforts, emphasizing that the city’s values would stand firm.
“We will not bend or break,” Johnson declared, pledging that Chicago Police will not aid Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in deportation activities—a stance already codified by city ordinance.
One of Trump’s earliest moves as president-elect was appointing Tom Homan, former acting director of ICE, as his “border czar.” Homan is set to lead what the GOP calls the “largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” including plans for federal agents to conduct deportation raids at schools, churches, and playgrounds, targeting all undocumented immigrants. Homan also indicated that he would push to strip federal funds from cities like Chicago that refuse to cooperate, a battle the city successfully fought during Trump’s first term.
In a Fox News interview, Homan announced his intention to “flood agents to the sanctuary cities” to carry out mass deportations, a threat that Johnson condemned as both “unconscionable and dangerous.”
Johnson, who campaigned for Vice President Kamala Harris, warned of the repercussions of Trump’s policies beyond immigration. He highlighted the threat posed to public education, particularly for Black Chicagoans, by Trump’s promise to dismantle the Department of Education. “Whether it’s anti-Black or antisemitic, we’re going to protect people, and we’re going to invest in people,” Johnson asserted, vowing that Chicago will thrive despite national political challenges.
The mayor emphasized that cooperation with immigration authorities would only heighten fear and insecurity among Chicago’s immigrant population, potentially driving thousands back into the shadows and away from seeking essential services like healthcare or police protection.
“Chicago will remain a beacon of hope and strength,” Johnson said. “Our commitment to our people is unwavering.”
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